Warriors survive Clippers

Golden State stayed alive on April 15 by beating the Los Angeles Clippers 126-121 in the Western Conference 9-versus-10 play-in game at Intuit Dome. (apnews.com) Stephen Curry scored 35 points and hit seven 3-pointers, with 27 of those points coming after halftime. Al Horford added four fourth-quarter 3-pointers as Golden State erased a 13-point deficit with 9:53 left. (nba.com) The Warriors won the fourth quarter 43-32 after trailing 61-53 at halftime. ESPN’s game log shows Curry hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with 50 seconds left as Golden State closed the game on a late run. (espn.com) This was an elimination game for the Clippers and only a stay-alive game for Golden State because of how the National Basketball Association play-in works. The No. 9 seed hosts the No. 10 seed, and the loser is out while the winner advances to face the loser of the No. 7-versus-No. 8 game for the conference’s final playoff spot. (nba.com) Golden State entered Wednesday as the No. 10 seed in the West after finishing the regular season 37-45, while the Clippers were No. 9 at 42-40. The win sends the Warriors to Phoenix on Friday, April 17, for a road game against the Suns with the No. 8 seed on the line. (espn.com) (nba.com) The comeback also fit the way Golden State’s season has unfolded around Curry’s availability. He told reporters after the game that he was playing only his fifth game since returning from a 27-game absence with a knee injury. (nba.com) Draymond Green’s defense was part of the closing stretch too. The Associated Press report carried by National Basketball Association dot com said Green held Kawhi Leonard scoreless in the fourth quarter until the result was effectively decided. (nba.com) The Warriors now get one more win-or-go-home night, this time against Phoenix on April 17. If they win there, they move from 10th place into the Western Conference playoffs as the No. 8 seed. (nba.com 1) (nba.com 2)